Delay of posting

Just wanted to say to you all thanks for your patience… the posting here has been delayed for a while but will return first of the year…thanks and be well!

Coming soon— Business Development Series (SP#1): The Basics

Join me for a series discussion on Business Development Basics. Yes. Basic 101. I find it amazing and I was just having a conversation with a friend that much of what we’re great at we forget to be great at. Meaning those first few things we learned regarding Prospecting, Consulting, and Caring for our clients we’ve forgotten. Why? You may ask…Simple, we’ve over complicated the process of doing business. We’ve made the process of just having a conversation with another person cumbersome and awkward if not self serving. The art of making contact is not that hard (That is of course if you’re sincere in your efforts). In fact, its simple, it’s natural and over the next few weeks we will re-visit some of those very basic steps that will “de-automate” our actions and re-invigorate our intentions.

Do you prefer to Talk to a Human? Go Automated?
(polls)

-Thoughts Back

Excellent point! It’s my belief that these unhealthy habits will die hard, and we will again one day see a resurgence of customer service/care as a personal touch priority. Companies will find that making human-to-human contact obsolete may not restrict initial expansion but will most certainly cripple their firm’s ability to enhance existing relationships and or foster worthwhile allegiances to their brand. Thanks for your reply! Check back now and then and see what fun topics we’re discussing.

Press #1 for Recording of “Live” Person

Can someone tell me what the “heck” (see I’m being good) is going on with our phone service industry these days. I don’t know why companies have to outsource call centers because they never pick up the phones anyway. The exception has become the norm. As business owners in the past we would have never wanted to let a customer to go away unhappy or lose a call, in fact, customers’ opinions were the pulse of how well our company was doing. Now organizations could give a “shoe” about what we think as consumers as long as we pay. Additionally, I believe they feel (do they feel-no better word- “think”) if they leave us on hold long enough- we will just hang up. Of course, many do hang up, but not I. I’ll wait it out-if only to tell them that their phone system is absolutely rotten and because they are unable to both physically and mentally take my call or understand the purpose of connecting with customers-people, I will no longer be doing business with them. Unless, of course they are the only utility company in town, damn!

One time I called into an “unnamed student loan organization” and I went immediately to…
“Press #1 for English.” Um, I’m in America shouldn’t that be the first language– I’m fine with pressing #2-for Spanish, or #3-for Chinese, etc…but #1 should be automatic. So, annoyed I pressed #1, next was press #1, #2, #3 for more options,on to press #4, #5, #6 for more options, press #7 to speak my need, then I accidentally pressed #8 after 12 minutes of going through the prompts only to hear…”that is not a valid option goodbye” then nothing but dial tone.

Wow, did that just happen?” I asked myself. Yes and it happens everyday in America. Sounds like companies big and small have too many customers they just can’t help us all so maybe we should reduce the number of customers using their services or buying their products. Just food for thought!

Oh and by the way, we pay more fees and service charges if we talk to a customer service person, because the standard of service that firms used to provide and the competitive edge it gave them over rivals no longer applies. Are we mules? Hmm.

Sorry -if this sounds stern, but this is a hot subject for me! How do you feel?

Traffic, as if it’s mobile real estate…

Here it is… my greatest bewilderment when it comes to traffic. What’s with the vehicle who literally is driving below the speed limit cruising in the fast lane refusing to give up the space. I mean the sheer determination of this unit to keep other traffic goers from entering the lane in front is unbelievable. It’s kind of like, the person who says “I don’t want this person but you can’t have them either.”

This is a troubled driver, I’m sure there are all sorts of psychological conclusions we can draw from the driver who says, ” I know the speed limit is 60, but I want to go 50 and I don’t want any of you to pass me. This is my space and I’m coveting it- so back off!” Wow, it’s as if they’re protecting their mobile real estate. Automobiles are kind of like that – aren’t they? We do spend a fortune on them and for some they serve as little extensions of our own home. Yes, I have my music, my Ipod, my book all in preparation for the 2 mile per hour traffic. However, what I’m not prepared for is the driver who refuses to let me into the fast lane when I’m doing all the right things. I’m driving the desired speed limit, I give plenty of blinker notice, and even a smile but to no avail! Rude and selfish traffic goer, this is for you!

Move Over!

Purpose

You’re probably wondering what this Blog is about…Well, it’s in its basic nature a general inquiry into all things surrounding us. A probe into those concepts, ideas, practices, materials, and realities we call life. I am consistently amazed by the people and world around me, or should I say baffled, bewildered, and inquisitory. Sometimes just questioning “status quo,” other times muttering acceptance of it… but it is here I choose to discuss it-share my opinion (and of course we all have one of those) or just babble and banter about the complex nature of even the simplest of things. So come along and share your input, or comment on my mindlessness… Enjoy, laugh a little, and by all means taunt your evolving self -be your own American Inquisitor!

I think traffic observation will be my first topic! See ya soon with commentary, feel free to share your own comments on the topic-we could all share a laugh!

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